Coronavirus Could Kill 5-7,000, Infect Over 50,000 in Pakistan in the Next 20 Days: Report

A National Action Plan report on Covid-19, presented to the Supreme Court on Saturday, says that coronavirus death toll in Pakistan could rise to 5,000 to 7,000 by April 25.

The report also projects the number of positive coronavirus cases in Pakistan to rise to 50,000 by April 25. Out of these, about 7,000 could be severely ill while 2,500 could develop mild symptoms, says the report.

So far, the virus has affected over 3,000 people in Pakistan while the death toll crossed 45. Recoveries are also being reported meanwhile with the tally of nationwide recoveries crossing 170.

On Friday, Prime Minister Imran Khan, while briefing the media, said the government cannot lock up 220 million people through a harsh curfew to control the spread of Covid-19 . The country has to find a balance between coronavirus and hunger, he said.

Here are the latest updates:

9.00 pm

WHO fact-checks some popular myths

Being able to hold your breath for 10 seconds or more without coughing or feeling discomfort DOES NOT mean you are free from the coronavirus disease or any other lung disease.

Drinking alcohol DOES NOT protect you against Covid-19 and can be dangerous. Frequent or excessive alcohol consumption can increase your risk of health problems.

Catching the new #coronavirus DOES NOT mean you will have it for life. You can recover from Covid-19.

FACT: Being able to hold your breath for 10 seconds or more without coughing or feeling discomfort DOES NOT mean you are free from the #coronavirus disease or any other lung disease.

Punjab reports 184 new cases in biggest daily jump

Punjab has reported its biggest single-day jump in coronavirus cases where its tally rose by 184 to 1,380.

Out of the total affected, 309 are pilgrims, 443 people associated with Raiwind Ijtima, 28 prisoners, and 600 other citizens.

5.00 pm

People with mild symptoms to be isolated at home in Sindh

Coronavirus patients who have mild symptoms and the facility are being isolated at their homes, said CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah.

Explaining the provincial government’s strategy in a video message, he said that people who don’t have the facility to isolate at home and might infect other people would be isolated in the government-run centres.

He highlighted that the people who have recovered were not given any medicine and they simply recovered in self-isolation.

2.30 pm

KP govt’s public service message urges citizens to protect parents from coronavirus

Be a responsible son and protect your parents from the lethal virus, by adopting Social Distancing including saying NO to :-• Handshake• Hug• Social Gathering• Unnecessary travelling• Standing close to eachother

Second batch of medical aid supplies by UAE arrives in Islamabad

This morning the Second batch of 11 tons of medical aid supplies provided by the UAE government to brothers in Pakistan to combat the Corona virus Covid 19 arrived at Islamabad Airport .. we renew commitment to stand by world against the exceptional circumstances and challenges pic.twitter.com/406rESjlzz

More and more young people are dying from the coronavirus: WHO

It is a mistake to believe that the virus only severely impacts older people and those with underlying conditions, said Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of WHO’s emergencies program as officials caution that more young people are becoming critically ill and dying due to COVID-19.

Ryan said that in Italy, one of the largest outbreaks in the world, 10% to 15% of all people in intensive care are under 50.

“We are seeing more and more younger individuals who are experiencing severe disease,” Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, head of the WHO’s emerging diseases and zoonosis unit, said at a news briefing from the organization’s Geneva headquarters. “We’ve seen some data from a number of countries across Europe where people of younger age have died. Some of those individuals have had underlying conditions, but some have not.”

Anti-parasitic drug found to kill coronavirus within 48 hours in lab

An anti-parasitic drug available throughout the world has been found to kill COVID-19 in the lab within 48 hours.

A Monash University-led study has shown a single dose of the drug Ivermectin could stop the SARS-CoV-2 virus growing in cell culture.

“We found that even a single dose could essentially remove all viral RNA (effectively removed all genetic material of the virus) by 48 hours and that even at 24 hours there was a really significant reduction in it,” Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute’s Dr Kylie Wagstaff said on Friday.

While it’s not known how Ivermectin works on the virus, the drug likely stops the virus dampening the host cells’ ability to clear it.

Indian twins, Corona and Covid, named after coronavirus

Welcome to the world, Corona and Covid – these are the names of newborn twins in India’s Raipur city.

The boy and girl were born amid a three-week lockdown in India. Their parents say they gave them the names as a reminder of obstacles overcome during trying times that have disrupted life across the world.

In an interview with local media, the mother said it was a “difficult” delivery. “We faced many challenges and me and my husband wanted to make the day memorable,” she said, adding that she went into labour on 26 March.

“The virus is dangerous but its outbreak has made people focus on hygiene and inculcate other good habits. So we thought about these names,” she explained.

Hospital staff started calling the twins as Corona and Covid soon after they were born – which helped the parents make their decision.

Source: BBC

10.30 am

NEW DEATHS: KP 3, Punjab 1

Three more coronavirus deaths were confirmed by the KP Directorate General Health Services. All of these happened in Peshawar.

Punjab also reported a new Covid-19 death taking its toll to 12. The deceased was an 80-year-old patient from Lahore.

US sets new global record with 1,480 virus deaths in 24 hours

Coronavirus could kill 5,000-7,000, infect over 50,000 in Pakistan in the next 20 days: NAP report

A National Action Plan against Covid-19 report, submitted to the Supreme Court on Saturday, says that coronavirus death toll in Pakistan could rise to 5,000 to 7,000 by April 25.

The report also projects the number of positive coronavirus cases in Pakistan to rise to 50,000 by April 25. Out of these, about 7,000 could become severely ill while 2,500 could develop mild symptoms.

So far, the virus has affected over 2,700 people in Pakistan while the death toll crossed 40. Recoveries are also being reported meanwhile with the tally of nationwide recoveries reaching 130.

A PAF C-130 aircraft carrying zaaireen from Dalbandin, landed in Skardu on Saturday. The move was a part of PAF’s relief operations that it’s undertaking in the fight against COVID-19.

The zaaireen were kept in the makeshift arrangements at the bordering town between Pakistan and Iran. They acknowledged the concerted efforts of the government for giving the best possible facilities at such a far off place. They also thanked PAF for arranging this special relief sortie for the people of Gilgit Baltistan.

PAF transport fleet is playing an instrumental role in carrying out relief efforts in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic and has also airlifted tons of relief goods and medical equipment from the neighboring country, China.

11.50 am

READ: WHO guide on disability during Covid-19

Certain populations, such as those with disability, may be impacted more significantly by Covid-19. This impact can be mitigated if simple actions and protective measures are taken by key stakeholders.

68% of IT companies in Pakistan are uncertain about retaining their current workforce due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that number could jump to 89% over the next six months, according to an alarming report published by Pakistan Software Houses Association for IT and ITeS ([email protected]).

The findings come as part of a report (linked below) published by [email protected] in which it polled over 200 companies with a collective workforce of over 34,000 people.

Coronavirus can spread through talking or even just breathing: Experts

A prestigious scientific panel told the White House Wednesday night that research shows coronavirus can be spread not just by sneezes or coughs, but also just by talking, or possibly even just breathing.

“While the current [coronavirus] specific research is limited, the results of available studies are consistent with aerosolization of virus from normal breathing,” according to the letter, written by Dr. Harvey Fineberg, chairman of a committee with the National Academy of Sciences.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, a key member of the White House’s coronavirus task force, told CNN Tuesday that the idea of recommending broad use of masks in the US to prevent the spread of coronavirus is under “very active discussion” by the group.

IHC allows govt to turn hotels into quarantine centres

The Islamabad High Court has given a nod to turning three- and four-star hotels into ‘quarantine centres’ where the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has planned to keep coronavirus patients.

Last month the NDMA had proposed to the government that the hotels in all major cities across Pakistan be converted into quarantine centres for suspected and confirmed coronavirus cases. Later with the federal government consent, the NDMA also issued directives to the management of different hotels on March 16 and March 28, to vacate the premises for the purpose.

The NDMA order to vacate the hotels was however challenged by three-star Hotel Margalla, situated in Islamabad.

Source: Dawn

2.00 am

Sindh reports 47 new cases

At least 47 new coronavirus cases were reported in Sindh taking its total to 830.

All of the new cases were of local transmission, 38 of which were reported from Karachi alone.

1.00 am

PTA rubbishes message about Covid-19 information sharing as fake

PTA has clarified that the message currently circulating in groups regarding a ban on posting information on coronavirus is fake.

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I suggest Pro-Pakistani should focus more on positive news rather than highlighting depressing news. The daily virus banner should also be restricted to one page only rather than appearing on each page. Information should be provided but not in a manner that it creates chaos.

There are many people who get depressed very easily and its the responsibility on media to give hope to people.

May Imran Khan and his family suffer the worst death. Today I lost my father to Covid19. It was sad to see that even the doctors had no proper protective gear. Imran is creating merchandise for tiger force rather than providing and protecting people. Mark my words, he will suffer in the worst possible manner.